Mabon

Mabon, Autumn Equinox:

The marking of the equinox doesn't seem to feature much in our inherited customs, perhaps because the sun's movement on the horizon appears quite rapid at this time and the seasons don't necessarily fit them so tidily. The importance of time psychologically cannot be missed though and our ancestors would have known of the approaching longer nights.

The celebrations for Mabon are centred on the the harvest of grains. This was a vital crop for both bread and beer and there was much consternation involved with getting the crop in when the weather allowed. For the Celts, not the most skilled of farmers, this would have been even more a concern. As it was we know they threshed their grain indoors in barns as the wet weather often made it impossible outside. From the earliest times then it seems likely that all people able to gather a crop were called upon to help. The landowner would often feed those whilst they worked or provide a feast after.

Traditions sprang up with regard to collecting the last sheaf of corn, these vary even very locally, some regarding it as unlucky to cut, some indifferent and some, a joyous celebration, and some wouldn't cut it at all, especially if it was on common ground. There has been much speculation on whether these practices show fear of or honour to the vegetation gods and goddesses, relief that the harvest was in or disgrace at being last. Unfortunately we shall probably never know.

The last sheaf cut, though, was often done so with much ceremony and calling out across fields. Sometimes those cutting it would throw their sickles at the sheaf in turn rather than cutting it straight down, this was sometimes attempted blindfolded.

There are many names recorded for this last stand of corn, from Mare, Hare and Neck, to Cailleach, Carline and Wrack, the last three are terms for an old woman. Also common were Maiden and Queen and a custom of gaily dressing the sheaves in ribbons and clothing seems to have developed as part of the celebrations, from this the corn dollies of today arose.
The current harvest festival tradition as found in may churches may not in fact be that old but what we can say is the need to celebrate and give thanks, not to mention let off steam and enjoy the last summer weather is probably as old as the first sowing of seeds.

The name Mabon was chosen to mark this time as it refers to the Great Son of the Great Mother, ( Mabon ap Modron ). A Welsh legend telling how the 'Bringer of Light' disappeared three days after birth and has to be found by asking successively older animals ( Celtic lore ) his whereabouts Found in the Otherworld ( womb of the Mother) he is then returned to the world, reborn of the mother again. This reflects the sun's winter decline and rebirth at Yule.

At Mabon now we still focus on the harvesting, though not just of grains, all fruits and vegetables ready at this time are included. The grape has found a home in this celebration too, as we appreciate harvests further afield. The sun has given it's strongest energies to the crops spread on the table before us, and is noticeably declining. In northern climates the season is over and what we have stored between now and Samhain would once have been our only winter supplies. Modern life leaves us with so much more choice for the winter but it is all hung our abilities to buy and ship in foods. These are both essentially tenuous and, of course, environmentally disastrous.

This is a time of reflection, the dying of the year and the start of inner journeys, a time of maturity and contemplation of our achievements in the past year. What have we reaped from our time, what are we proud to store for future reference and what do we regret and wish to change next time? In this period leading up to Samhain we ponder this, as we watch our desires to cling to things, youth, love, sunlight... Samhain beckons with the reality that death is part of our cycle on Mother Earth.